ESEP: An Experimental Onboard Computing System for Localized Capacity Building and Future Philippine Microsatellites

The Experimental Science & Engineering Payload (ESEP) platform is a bus and payload system designed to host and perform the functions of the primary components of a satellite bus system. This engineering platform is intended to act as an experimental redundant bus & payload system to the primary Diwata-2 system. This will allow testing of experimental bus and payload modules which will then be the base platform for future satellite developments in the Philippines for small satellites. The bus segment consists of the satellite command & data handling, satellite attitude control & management, and the communications subsystem. Consequently, the mission segment performs both scientific mission instrument control and data management. The platform follows the FLOWN Fly Old with New concept, designed to conform with the existing Diwata-2 modules and act as a redundant bus system for the planned Diwata-3 satellite. After establishing heritage, the flexibility of ESEP allows it to be integrated with future small satellite architectures, addressing the constantly evolving developments in satellite technology